There are many ways to honor our veterans

This speech is to be given today to students in the Oak Ridge School District:

Americans are marking this day with expressions of respect for all who have worn the uniform of our nation. Since its founding and through countless generations, our veterans have set high standards of courage and dedication to duty.

Every American veteran took a sacred oath to defend the United States of America and to uphold that oath with honor and dignity. All of America's veterans of all conflicts placed their nation's security before their own lives, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

The veterans of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Afghanistan and the only remaining U.S. veteran of World War I deserve our sincere gratitude and respect for their many sacrifices in defense of freedom.

On this day we also remember the troops who departed our land to fight on foreign soil but did not return to be honored as veterans. Each and every one is a fallen hero who made the supreme sacrifice to defend and preserve freedom.

And today, we also remember and honor the men and women of our Armed Forces whose fate remains undetermined. These are prisoners of war and those missing in action who total nearly 125,000 counted since the beginning of World War I. We must never forget their courage and sacrifice. Our government has pledged it will never end its search until every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman who remains missing in the line of duty is accounted for.

Today we also remember our World War II veterans who defeated dictators and liberated whole continents while preserving the freedom of our nation. President Roosevelt called those who wore the uniform in World War II "America's Finest." From the deadly beaches of Normandy to the jungles in the Pacific, they were victorious while providing sanctuary and hope for the weak and oppressed. But they did not come as conquerors. They came simply as liberators.

The acclaimed historian Stephen Ambrose once wrote, "America's wars have been like rungs on a ladder by which it rose to greatness. No other country has triumphed so long, so consistently or on such a vast scale through force of arms."

And today, thanks to our veterans, perhaps the greatest wars are the battles that America never had to fight because those who wish us harm slink away in fear of the Coast Guard cutter, the Navy aircraft carrier or the battle-hardened Army soldier or Marine on patrol.

And while I am honored to be here today to express my sincere appreciation for my fellow veterans, I understand that true appreciation is more often better expressed through deeds — not words. So here are some tips on how you can honor our veterans.

When an American Legion Auxiliary member asks for a donation for a poppy, remember the thousands of veterans in hospital beds. To better appreciate their sacrifices, visit the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau and make friends with some of the resident veterans. On Memorial Day, attend the annual Veterans Day event at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau and take the time to decorate the graves of fallen veterans. When July 4 rolls around each year, attend the annual parade and applaud the American Legion honor guards as they proudly carry the American flag.

And we must never forget our veterans' families. We honor them, not just with Blue and Gold Star Banners, but with open hearts. Help and assist the busy mother in any way you can. She has a very tough time going it alone while her husband is fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan or serving elsewhere. Support the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund so veteran's children can receive educations in the event their father or mother lose their lives during military service.

These are just a few ways you can help support our veterans, and I'm sure you will find many other ways to show your gratitude to our veterans and their families.

And, perhaps most important of all, you can simply reach out and shake a veteran's hand and thank him or her for their many sacrifices, past and present.

On this Veterans Day, we honor all veterans and their families, and we offer the sincere thanks of a grateful nation.

God bless you all for being here. God bless our veterans. And may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Thank you.

Robert E. Bunn of Cape Girardeau is a past-commander of Louis K. Juden American Legion Post 63.